Reciprocating grain sizing device for sampling



RECIPROCATING GRAIN SIZING DEVICE FOR SAMPLING Filed June 2. 1964 mi k! .26 15 5'0. '"H'" .1!" H 4 FIG 7 0 7 O a? 01 50 5'7 5 o 6' 47 INVbNTORS 55' 514/1. 6. Six 511x041,

14 L 4 a 40 46/ BY 144/441 4 0544 42 .1 WW PM F I E 5' United States Patent 3,313,415 RECIPROCATIN G GRAEN SlZING DEVICE FOR SAMPLING Emil S. Swanson, 247 106th Ave. N'W., Qoon Rapids,

Minn. 55420, and Wiiiiam L. Kosisi, 3905 Halifax Ave. N., Minneapolis, Minn. 55422 Filed June 2, 1964, Ser. No. 371,931 3 Claims. (Cl. 2ll9-237) This invention relates to material sizing devices and more particularly to portable sizing apparatus for use in sizing or classifying the grain of a grain sample of predetermined quantity to uniformly determine the relative amounts of the grain of the sample which are larger or smaller than a predetermined size.

Normally in commercially evaluating relatively large bulk amounts of grain, such as a carload amount or the like, it is necessary to grade or classify the grain by a comparison with a uniform standard. This is done by taking a representative sample of grain from the bulk load and thereafter sizing or classifying the grain of such a sample to determine the relative amounts of the grain which are larger or smaller than the predetermined size or standard. A grain sizing sieve having predetermined size openings therein is used to make this determination of what proportions of the grain of the sample is larger or smaller than the openings therein. Ieretofore, this sizing operation of the grain samples has been performed by placing a sample in the portable sieve and thereafter manually shaking the sieve to separate the grain sizes. Even though the sampling sieves have been standardized for this process, different operators often obtain different results since the particular character of agitation or shaking movement of the sieves will vary with each operator.

It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide a small portable device for uniformly reciprocating a grain sizing sieve mounted thereon through a predetermined number of cycles of movement to thereby permit each grain sample to have the grain thereof accurately sized and classified.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel portable device for use in sizing grain samples and the like, including a table for mounting grain classifying sieves thereon, with drive means for reciprocating the table to cause separation of the grain in the sieve, and an impulse counter means for controlling operation of the drive means and which may be preset so that the drive means will be de-energized after the table has been reciprocated through a predetermined number of cycles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a portable sieve mounting device of the class described wherein the impulse counter control means is capable of being automatically re-cycled at the end of a grain sizing operation thereby permitting a series of samples to be classified or sized by merely energizing the control means.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken approximately along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the invention with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic schematic illustration of 3,3 l 3, Patented Apr. M, 1967 the circuitry including the impulse counter means and the drive means;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of one of the track and track engaging means;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line '77 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 8 is a detailed cross sectional View indicating the manner of mounting a grain sieve on the grain pan.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIG. 1 it will be seen that one embodiment of the grain sizing device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is thereshown. The grain sizing device 10 includes a generally rectangular shaped housing 11 preferably constructed of metal or the like and including opposed upstanding end walls 12, opposed upstanding side walls 13 and a top wall 14. Referring to FIG. 4 it will be seen that the housing 11 while being substantially open at its bottom is provided with a continuous inturned peripheral flange 15 which is integral with the upstanding side and end walls and which provides suitable attachment means for the supporting feet 16.

The top Wall 14 of the housing 11 which is substantially flat has a pair of longitudinally extending elongate parallel slots 17 formed therein which extend substantially throughout the length of the top wall 14. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 it will be seen that a pair of elongate, substantially channel-shaped track members 18 are mounted within the housing 11 and are positioned closely adjacent but spaced slightly below the top wall 14. The track members 18 have opposite ends thereof secured by suitable attachment means such as bolts or the like to the end walls 12. It will also be noted that the track members 18 are disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other and the concavity of the channels thereof are oriented so that they face inwardly and towards each other, as best seen in FIG. 3. Each of the track members 18 is positioned below and closely adjacent one of the slots 17 and the purpose of these track members and slots will be more fully explained hereinbelow.

A sieve supporting table or platform 19 is mounted for reciprocating movement relative to the housing 11 and serves to support thereon the sieve and sieve pans used I in the grain sizing operation. This table 19 is of substantially rectangular fiat configuration and is positioned in close proximity to but slightly above the upper wall 14 for reciprocating longitudinal movement relative thereto. To this end, it will be seen that the table 1% has a pair of relatively short legs 2t) afiixed to the lower surface thereof adjacent each side thereof and these legs 29 deend through the slots 17 in the upper wall 14. It will be seen that the legs 29 are of substantially flat platelike configuration and it will also be seen that the legs 20 comprising each pair are actually disposed in foreand-aft alignment.

The lower end of each leg 2% has a small shaft 21 secured thereto, the reduced threaded end portion 22 of the shaft projecting through an aperture in the associated leg 24) and being releasably secured thereto by a suitable retaining element or nut 23. Each shaft 21 has a roller 24 journaled thereon for rotation relative thereto and it will be seen that the rollers 24 are positioned within the channelshaped track members 13 for revolving movement relative thereto. in the embodiment shown, it is preferred that the rollers 24 be formed of a nonmetallic material, preferably nylon or the like, since rollers of this material need no lubrication and do not wear as quickly as metallic rollers. Thus it will be seen that the legs 26 and the rollers 24 serve to mount the table 19 for reciprocating movement relative to the housing 11.

Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 it wiil be seen that the lower portion of each aligned pair of legs has detachably secured thereto an elongate L-shaped bracket 25. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper leg of each L-shaped bracket is apertured to receive the reduced end portions of the associated roller shafts 21 therethrough and the retaining elements 23 of these shafts actually secure each bracket to the legs and rollers for movement therewith. The lower leg of each L-shapcd bracket is rigidly secured as by welding to an inverted channel member 26, as best seen in FIG. 4. It will also be noted from FIG. 4 that the inverted channel member 26 is centrally disposed with respect to the two L-shaped brackets 25 and is positioned in substantially right angular relationship with respect to these brackets.

Drive means are provided for reciprocating the sieve supporting table 19 relative to the housing 11 and along the track members 18 and this drive means includes an electric motor 27 which is provided with and connected to a suitable gear reduction mechanism 28. The output shaft 29 of the gear reduction mechanism 23 which is connected through suitable gear trains to the output shaft or" the electric motor 27 has one end of an elongate crank arm 30 secured thereto for rotation therewith. Thus it will be seen that when the motor 27 is energized, the output shaft 29 will be revolved, thus producing swinging movement of the crank arm 30.

It will be seen that the output shaft 29 of the gear reduction mechanism 28 is vertically oriented while the crank arm 30 is disposed substantially horizontally for rotation in a substantially horizontal orbit. The other end of the crank arm 30 has a vertically extending pin 31 pivotally secured thereto and a generally rectangular slide element or block 32 is secured to the pin 31 and is positioned within the inverted channel member 26. This slide block 32 is constructed of a non-metallic material such as wood, preferably oak, and is impregnated with a suitable lubricant to facilitate sliding movement thereof along the inverted channel member 26. Therefore when the electric motor 27 is energized, the crank arm 30 will be revolved or swung in an orbit and this swinging action will be transmitted through the slide block 32 and the channel member 26 to cause reciproeating movement of the sieve supporting table 19. The table 19 will therefore be reciprocated through a forward and return stroke during one complete orbit of the crank arm 30.

In order to obtain a uniform sizing or classifying of the grain of each grain sample, it is therefore necessary to control the number of reciprocations the sieve supporting table 19 makes during the sizing operation of a given sample.

Therefore control means are provided for automatically de-energizing the motor 27 after the sieve supporting table 19 has been moved through a predetermined number of cycles during the sizing operation for a grain sample of predetermined quantity. This means includes a push-button impulse counter control mechanism 33 known in the trade as Atcotrol and manufactured by Automatic Timing and Controls, Inc. This control mechanism 33 includes a dial indicator 34 which is mounted on one of the side walls 13 and which is provided with circumferentially arranged numerical indicia 35 on the face thereof. The dial indicator 34 has a presettable pointer 36 and a progress indicating pointer 37 revolvably mounted thereon, and a knob 38 is provided for setting the pointer 36 in a pre-set position. A pushbutton 39 is centrally mounted with respect to the knob 38 and serves to energize the circuit to the motor 27.

The impulse counter control mechanism 33 is preferably the Model 311-3, manufactured by the Automatic Timing and Controls, Inc. and a detailed description of this control mechanism is unnecessary for the instant application. This particular impulse counter control mechanism is of the resetting type and serves as a count control of electrical load circuitry in a grain sizing operation. When a count pulse is received, the pulse motor drive of the control mechanism loads a drive spring. Opening of the pulse contact releases the drive spring and moves the progress indicating pointer 37 one count. No movement of the pointer 37 occurs while the pulse contact is closed.

The pulse contact, in the embodiment shown, cornprises a switch 40 which has a switch arm 41 pivotally mounted thereon and which is normally urged out of contacting relation with respect to a contact element 42. The circuit to the electric motor includes electrical conductors 43 and 44 each of which is connected to a female bayonet type socket element 45, the latter being adapted for connection to a suitable conventional electrical outlet socket. The electrical conductor 43 is connected to a contact element of the electric motor 27 While the electrical conductor 44 is connected to one of the electrical contacts of the switch 40. An electrical conductor 45 interconnects an electrical contact of the electric motor 27 with the contact of the switch 40, as best seen in FIG. 5. It will further be seen that the impulse counter control mechanism 33 is connected to the electrical conductor 43 and is connected to the switch 40 by an electrical conductor 47. It will therefore be seen that the control mechanism 33 is actually disposed in circuit controlling relation with respect to the electric mot-or 27.

The manner in which the impulse counter control mechanism controls operation of the electric motor 27 and the sieve mounting table 19 first requires that the control mechanism be preset so that the latter will operate only through a predetermined number of impulses. This is accomplished by turning the knob 38 to position the pre-settable pointer 36 to a pre-set reading with respect to the number of impulses the control mechanism is subjected to. When the pointer 36 is pre-set, the pointer 37 will also be pre-set at the same reading and when the push-button 39 is depressed, the circuit to the motor 27 will be closed and the clutch means of this impulse counter control mechanism will also be engaged with a clutch ring. The count motor of the control mechanism drives the progress pointer 37 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 5, from the pre-set position of the pointer 36 towards zero through a gear train and the clutch means.

As pointed out above,.when a count pulse is received, the pulse motor drive of the control mechanism loads the drive spring and opening of this pulse contact releases the drive spring moving the pointer 37 one count in a clockwise direction towards zero. The impulses for the control mechanism 33 are produced by movement of the sieve supporting table 19 as the latter is reciprocated by the electric motor 27.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that as the crank arm 39 revolves, the coaction between the slide block 32 carried by this crank arm and the channel member 26 causes the sieve supporting table to be reciprocated along the track members 18 through a forward and return stroke. It will be noted that the switch arm 41 is positioned in obstructing relation with respect to the channel member 26 so that during the terminal portion of each cycle of movement of the sieve supporting table 19, the channel member 26 will engage the switch arm 41 and move the same into contacting relation with respect to the contact 42 so that a pulse is transmitted to the control mechanism 33. When the progress pointer 37 reaches zero, it is spring returned counterclockwise to the pre-set pointer 36. Simultaneously, the clutch of the control mechanism is disengaged and the motor 27 is automatically deenergized by the control mechanism. To this end, it is pointed out that the master switch of the impulse counter control mechanism is opened when the progress pointer 37 reaches zero and is re-cycled.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 it will be seen that the sieve supporting table 19 is provided with means for releasably positioning and mounting a sieve and sieve pan thereon. This means includes a plurality of upstanding L-shaped positioning elements 48 which are secured to the upper surface of the sieve supporting table 19 and which are symmetrically spaced-apart as best seen in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown, four such positioning elements are provided and are arranged adjacent the respective corners of the sieve supporting table. The spacing of these positioning elements is such that one of the conventional sized sieve pans P may be positioned upon the sieve supporting table 19 and within the confines of these L- shaped positioning elements 48.

The sieve structure S is of generally frusto-conical shaped configuration and presents a lower perforated surface for classifying the grain, seed or other particulate material during the sizing or classifying operation. Suitable L-shaped hook elements H, which are of conventional construction, support the sieve S from the upper peripheral edges of the sieve pan P as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 8. Although not shown in the drawings, the L-shaped positioning elements 48 may be adjustably mounted on the sieve supporting table 19 to permit adjustment thereof for accommodating different sized sieve pans or an additional set of these positioning elements located either outside or inside the existing set may be provided, the inner most set actually serving as the support surface for such a pan.

During operation of the sizing device iii, an operator will obtain a representative sample of grain, seed or the like from a bulk load, such as a carload, and this sample will be of predetermined quantity. The sample will be placed Within the sieve S, the latter being suspended or supported from the peripheral edge of the sieve pan P. The sieve pan will be mounted upon the sieve supporting table d9 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Thereafter, the operator will adjust the pointer 36 to pre-set the same to the number of complete cycles of reciprocation the sieve supporting table will be moved during the sizing operation. This is done by revolving the knob 38 and as pointed out above the progress pointer 37 will also be moved with the pointer as. Thereafter, when the pushbutton 39 is depressed, the electric motor 27 will be energized and the sieve supporting table will be driven by the revolving movement of the crank arm 30 and the coaction of the slide block 32 with the channel member 26. It will be seen that as the crank arm 30 is revolved, this revolving motion or force is changed to rectilinear motion by the channel member 26 and the slide block 32. Since, however, the slide block slides relative to the channel member 26 and since the channel member is connected to the L-shaped brackets 25 and is mounted for movement along the track members 1.8, the resultant effect is that the table 19 will be reciprocated.

If, for example, the position of the table 1-9, as illustrated in FIG. 2, represents the initial stage of the forward stroke, it will be seen that as the table is moved through its completion of this forward stroke and at the beginning of the return stroke the switch arm 41 will be engaged by the channel member 26 and the impulse will be counted by the impulse counter control mechanism 33. Thus after each impulse the progress pointer 37 will be moved from the pre-set position indicated by the pointer 36 towards zero in a clockwise direction. At the expiration of the predetermined number of impulses or cycles of reciprocation, the motor 27 will be automatically de-energized and the progress pointer will again be recycled to its preset position. It will therefore be seen that uniform agitation or shaking action may be accurately controlled so that each sample tested may have accurate separation or classification of the grain thereof.

It will also be seen that since the reciprocating table 19 is mounted on a substantially closed housing, there will be little, if any, danger of injury to the operators hands by moving parts. The use of rollers supported in channel-shaped tracks also produces a very smooth and effective reciprocating action during the operation of the device.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided a novel and improved grain sizing device 10 Wherein grain samples may have the grain thereof accurately classified.

It will also be noted from the foregoing description that the particular drive means employed to reciprocate the sieve supporting table very effectively transforms the rotary drive motion to rectilinear motion without unduly stressing any of the moving parts.

Thus it will be seen that we have provided a novel grain sizing device including an impulse counter control mechanism for controlling operation of the sieve supporting table, and in which the entire device is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efiicient manner than any heretofore known comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Portable apparatus for use in classifying grain, seed and the like of samples thereof which are of predetermined quantity to uniformly determine the relative amounts of the material of such samples which are larger and smaller than a predetermined size, said apparatus comprising a substantially closed housing having a substantially flat upper surface, said upper surface having a pair of elongate slots therein disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to each other,

a pair of elongate channel-shaped track members mounted within said housing and each being positioned below and in close proximity to one of said slots,

a reciprocating table positioned above said upper surface of the housing for longitudinal reciprocating movement relative thereto through a forward stroke and a return stroke in each cycle of reciprocating movement,

track engaging means mounted on said table and depending therefrom through said slots and engaging said track members for movement the-realong,

means on said table for positioning and releasably mounting a sieve pan and sieve thereon,

electric motor means for reciprocating said table along said track members,

circuit means connectible to a source of electrical current and to said motor means for'supplying electrical current to the latter,

drive connections interconnecting said motor means with said table including an elongate, horizontally oriented crank arm revolvable about a substantially vertical axis,

an inverted channel member fixedly connected with said table and extending transversely of said track members,

a slide element connected to said crank arm and slidable in said channel member whereby upon revolving movement of said crank arm when said motor means is energized, the table will be longitudinally reciprocated along said track members,

and electrical impulse counter control mechanism interposed in circuit controlling relation within said circuit means and including means for recording and counting each complete cycle of reciprocating movement of said table as an impulse, said recording and counting means including a normally open switch having a switch arm, means on said table disposed in obstructing relation with said switch arm and engaging the same during the terminal portion of movement of each return stroke to momentarily close the switch and cause an electrical impulse to be trans- 3,313,415 7 8 mitted to said electrical impulse counter control References Cited by the Examiner mechanism, whereby said impulse is recorded and counted, said impulse counter control mechanism UNITED STATES PATENTS being variously adjustable to pre-set the number of 635,161 10/1899 Cook 7450 X impulses received thereby and de-energizing h 5 1,119,792 12/1 14 Biesmeyer 74-50 motor means when said table has been driven through 1,500,850 7 1924 R h 209-338 X a predetermined number of cycles of reciprocating 2 97 709 10 1924 ki 209 342 X movement. 2,685,753 8/ 1954 Reschke 74--50 X 2. The portable apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein 129 1 7 3 /1964 prangos 209-342 X said track engaging means comprises a pl r lity f rollers 10 3,223,522 1/1966 Strand 209-343 positioned within said channel-shaped track members.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch arm engaging means on said table comprises said FRANK LUTTER Exammer' inverted channel-shaped member, said channel-shaped HARRY B. THORNTON Emmi-nah member being positioned within said housing and below 15 said track members. R. HALPER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR USE IN CLASSIFYING GRAIN, SEED AND THE LIKE OF SAMPLES THEREOF WHICH ARE OF PREDETERMINED QUANTITY TO UNIFORMLY DETERMINE THE RELATIVE AMOUNTS OF THE MATERIAL OF SUCH SAMPLES WHICH ARE LARGER AND SMALLER THAN A PREDETERMINED SIZE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSED HOUSING HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT UPPER SURFACE, SAID UPPER SURFACE HAVING A PAIR OF ELONGATE SLOTS THEREIN DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER, A PAIR OF ELONGATE CHANNEL-SHAPED TRACK MEMBERS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND EACH BEING POSITIONED BELOW AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ONE OF SAID SLOTS, A RECIPROCATING TABLE POSITIONED ABOVE SAID UPPER SURFACE OF THE HOUSING FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO THROUGH A FORWARD STROKE AND A RETURN STROKE IN EACH CYCLE OF RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT, TRACK ENGAGING MERANS MOUNTED ON SAID TABLE AND DEPENDING THEREFROM THROUGH SAID SLOTS AND ENGAGING SAID TRACK MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT THEREALONG, MEANS ON SAID TABLE FOR POSITIONING AND RELEASABLY MOUNTING A SIEVE PAN AND SIEVE THEREON, ELECTRIC MOTOR MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID TABLE ALONG SAID TRACK MEMBERS, CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTIBLE TO A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT AND TO SAID MOTOR MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE LATTER, 